Frenchman detained for flying drone over Myanmar’s parliament

Myanmar authorities arrested a French tourist for allegedly flying a drone over the country's parliament in the capital of Naypyidaw, the French embassy in Myanmar confirmed Monday.

Under Myanmar's Aircraft Act, it is illegal to fly drones over government buildings in the capital. Desclaux could face a three-year prison sentence if found guilty

The embassy said it was working with local police to provide consular services for the man, identified by police as 27-year-old Arthur Desclaux. He was still in detention in Naypyidaw and his family has been contacted.

Three journalists and their driver were jailed in 2017 for the same offense.

Local media published photos of the French detainee, including his passport details, and his drone.

"A French man, on a visit to Myanmar, was arrested late afternoon on Thursday 7 February for having flown a drone over the parliament," the embassy said, adding that the man was still in detention in Naypyidaw.

His family had been informed of his arrest and embassy staff were trying to secure his release, it added.

It was unclear why he was flying the drone and Myanmar authorities were not available for comment.

In 2017, journalists Lau Hon Meng from Singapore and Mok Choy Lin from Malaysia were making a documentary for Turkish state broadcaster TRT when they were detained in October 2017 along with Myanmar reporter Aung Naing Soe and driver Hla Tin.

Expecting to receive a fine, they confessed to flying the drone over parliament but were instead sentenced to two months in prison under Myanmar's aircraft act.